Wire-fence stretcher.



Patented iul 22,1902.

l. M.-V{ABNER. WIRE FENCE STRETCHEB.

(Application filed Sept. 6, 1901.)

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATE T OFFICE.

ISAAC M. WARNER, OF UNION CITY, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TOFRANK C.

BOISE, OF UNION CITY, MICHIGAN.

\ WIRE-FENCE STRETCl-IER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 705,498, dated July 22,1902. Application filed September 6 1901. Serial No. 74,662. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, IsAAo M. WARNER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Union City, in the county of Branch and State of Michigan,have invented a new and useful Wire-Fence Stretcher, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to wire-fence stretchers.

The object of the invention is to provide a simply-constructed andthoroughly efficient' device of the character specified by the use ofwhich the slack of the runner-wires may be readily and easily taken up;furthermore, to provide means by which the runner-wires will be heldfrom relaxing when the tightening means require readjustment for asecond operation.

With these and other objects in view, as will appear as the nature oftheinvention is better understood, the same consists in the novelconstruction and combination of parts of a wire-fence stretcher, as willbe hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, andin which like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts, thereis illustrated one form of embodiment of the invention capable ofcarrying the same into practical operation, it being understood that theelements therein ex-, hibited may be varied or changed as to shape,proportion, and exact manner of assemblage without departing from thescope of the invention, and in these drawings Figure l is a view in sideelevation, showing the device in connection with a section of fence therunner-wires of which are to be tightened, the clamp-holding chainsbeing disengaged from the tightening-chains. Fig.2 is a similar Viewshowing the clamp-holding chains in engagement with the tighteningchainsto permit the latter chains to be relaxed to effect readjustment for asecond tightening operation. Fig. 3 is a View in transverse sectionthrough the stretcher-bar or clamp.

Referring to the drawings, 1 and 2 designate the end posts of a sectionof fence, and 3 the runner-wires, the latter to be of the plain orbarbed type, as may be preferred. As these parts may be of the usual orany preferred construction, detailed description thereof is deemednecessary.

The present invention resides in the clamp or stretcher-bar 4 and itsassociated mechanism, by which the runner-wires may be placed under therequisite-tension. The clamp or stretcher-bar comprises two sections orjaws 5 and 6, which are held assembled for operative work by bolts 7,carrying nuts 8, the opposed faces of the jaws being provided withrecesses 9, in which fit the tightening-screws 10, of'which there areshown in this instance but two, it being understood that this number maybe increased, if desired, and still be in the scope of the invention.The tightenin g-screws are coarse-threaded, and each carries anadjusting-nut 11 to bear against the inner side of the clamp, the outerend of each of the screws being provided with an orificed head 12 to beengaged by the end link of the tightening-chain 13, the other end ofwhich is associated with the post 1 in any preferred manner, as byhaving a bight turned thereabout or by the employment of an eyebolt andnut, as shown. One of the clamp-jaws also carries two clamp-holdingchains 14, one end of each of which is secured in an eyebolt or staple15, held assembled with the clampjaw by a nut 16. The free end link 17of each of the clamp-holding chains is open, whereby to permit it to behooked into engagement with any one of the links of the chain 13, thusto hold the clamp-bar against relaxing when the tightening-screws areremoved orloosened for the purpose of permitting the tighteningchains tobe shortened in the operation of a second or third tightening of therunnerwires. To effect this, the end link 18 of each of thetightening-chains 13 is open, thus to permit this link to be broughtinto engagement with any one of the succeeding links of the chains forthe purpose stated.

In operation the clamp is secured in position against the runner-wiresthrough the me- ;dium of the bolts 7 and nuts 8, as'will be readilyunderstood and as is commonin devices of this character." The ends ofthe tightening-chains areitheu suitably secured to the post 1 andawrench is-appli'edto the nuts 11, thereby forcing the clamp toward thepost 1 and putting the runner-wires under tension. If by the time thenuts 11 have traversed the operative length of the tightening-screws therunner-wires are not under the requisite tension, the links 17 of theclamp-holding chains 14 are hooked into ongagement with one link of eachof the tightening-chains, as shown in Fig. 2, thereby holding the clampagainst retraction, and the nuts 11 are then screwed out upon thetightening-screws, after which the link 18 of each of thetightening-chains is brought into engagement with the appropriate linkof each of the said chains, and the operation is again repeated.Whentherunner-wireshave been placed under the requisite tension, theirends are passed through suitable openings in the post 1 and are securedthereto in the usual manner, or they may be secured to the side of thepost by the employment of ordinary staples. The chains 13 are thendisconnected from the post 1 and the clamp removed from therunner-wires.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that while the device ofthis invention is exceedingly simple of construction it will bethoroughly effective in operation to produce the results designed and,further, that it may be operated by a person of ordinary mechanicalability.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a wire-fence stretcher, the combination of a tightening connectingelement attached to a fixed point, a stretcher-bar having means tosecure runner-wires thereto, a tightening-screw attached to and movableaxially with reference to the stretcher-bar, means to ad justablyconnect the tighteningscrew to the tightening connecting element, aholding connecting element carried by the stretcher-bar and means toadjustably connect the holding connecting element to the tighteningconnecting element, prior to disconnecting the latter from theaxially-movable tightening-screw, substantially as described.

2. In a wire-fence stretcher, the combination of a tightening connectingelement attached to a fixed point, a stretcher-bar having means tosecure runner-wires thereto, a tightening-screw, attached to and movableaxially with reference to the stretcher-bar, an adj listing-nut bearingagainst the bar and engaging the screw, to adjust the latter axially,means to adjustably connect the tighteningscrew to the tighteningconnecting element, a holding connecting element carried by thestretcher-bar, and means to adjustably connect the same to thetightening connecting element prior to disconnecting the latter from theaxially-movable tightening-screw, substantially as described.

3. Awire-fence stretcher comprising a twopart stretcher-bar, nut-bearingscrews carried thereby, tightening-chains associated with the screws,and stretcher-bar-holding chains carried by the said bar.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aflixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ISAAC M. WARNER.

Witnesses:

H. T. CARPENTER, CHAS. H. LOWELL.

